Martha N. Van Gaasbeck

Martha N. Van Gaasbeck LONGMEADOW - Martha Van Gaasbeck, a longtime Longmeadow resident, died Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012 at Reed's Landing in Springfield. Born in Middletown, CT, and raised in Woodbridge Ct. Marty was the daughter of the late Clarence R. and Lulubel (Walker) Newton. She received her bachelor's degree from Middlebury College in 1943. While at Middlebury, Marty met her late husband H. Robert Van Gaasbeck and they were married in 1944. Mr. Van Gaasbeck died in 1991. Marty was an active volunteer for many years. She was a past board member of the Longmeadow Women's Club; past member of the Longmeadow Maternal Association; a member of the Baystate Medical Center Auxiliary and past board member; a corporator of Chestnut Knoll; a past volunteer at Wesson Memorial Hospital; and a volunteer at the Longmeadow Library. She was also a member of First Church of Christ and had been a deacon there. Marty was an avid bridge player, golfer and gardener. She loved travel, the symphony and Nantucket. She was a devoted wife and mother and possessed a keen wit. Marty is survived by her children, Robert C. VanGaasbeck of Enfield, CT and Margaret V. Carah of Brighton, MI; five grandchildren, Whitney Kantola, Trevor Carah, Kristine Gould, Karen LaFountain, and Kimberly V. O'Neil; and 5 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 8, 2012 at 10 AM at First Church of Christ, 763 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow. A private burial will be held at Longmeadow Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Memorial Fund at First Church, the Children's Study Home or to the H. Robert Van Gaasbeck memorial scholarship fund at the Springfield Girls Club. There are no calling hours. Dickinson-Streeter Funeral Service of Springfield has been entrusted with the arrangements.